Important Points About Gathering Info From Witnesses After a Slip and Fall

Slip and fall accidents can cause serious injury and have a significant impact on your daily life. If you’ve been involved in a slip and fall accident, building a personal injury case can help you recover compensation for your losses. One important aspect of building a strong case is gathering information from witnesses who may have seen the accident as it happened.

Here’s what you should try to gather from witnesses at the scene of a slip and fall accident:

• Contact information: Make sure to get the full name, phone number, and email address of each witness.
• Description of the incident: Ask the witness to describe what they saw, including the location and cause of the fall.
• Details of the conditions: Find out if the witness noticed any hazardous conditions that may have contributed to the fall, such as wet or slippery floors, obstructed walkways, or poor lighting.
• Eyewitness account: If the witness saw the entire incident, ask them to describe it in detail, including the events leading up to the fall, the fall itself, and what happened afterwards.
• Timing of the incident: Ask the witness if they can recall the time of the accident. This information can help to establish the timeline of events.
• Photos or videos: Ask witnesses if they took any photos or videos of the accident or the conditions at the scene. Although you should also attempt to document the scene through photos and video, it’s never harmful to have additional evidence.

It’s important to gather information from witnesses as soon as possible after the accident, as their memory of the events may fade over time. Be polite and professional when speaking with witnesses and make sure to take notes or record the conversation if possible.

Additionally, be sure to avoid saying anything to witnesses that could indicate your own negligence caused the accident. Witnesses may later on be required to share this information, potentially interfering with your ability to secure the compensation you might deserve.

Also, if a witness asks whether you are okay after an accident, don’t say that you are. If you do, and this information gets out, an insurance company could argue that you weren’t seriously injured and thus don’t deserve the compensation you’re seeking.

How a Personal Injury Attorney Can Help

Having information from witnesses can help to build a strong personal injury case and increase the chances of a successful outcome. In addition to witnesses, it’s important to gather other evidence, such as medical records, photos of the scene and any injuries, and a copy of any accident reports.

Also, don’t worry if you didn’t gather witness statements at the scene of your accident. As long as you have the names and contact information of witnesses, your lawyer can interview them later should you choose to hire one.

This is a wise decision. At Soloff & Zervanos, a Pennsylvania slip and fall accident attorney is prepared to help you build the strongest case possible when seeking compensation. Learn more about what we can do for you by contacting us online or calling us at 215-732-2260 .